Source: CCTV.com

04-15-2008 09:07

Special Report:   3.14 Tibet Riots

The government of the Tibet Autonomous Region will spend 2 billion yuan to improve the livelihoods of local farmers -- including homes and living facilities. Local farmers are welcoming the move.

The government of the Tibet Autonomous Region will  spend 2 billion yuan to improve the livelihoods of local farmers including homes and living facilities. Local farmers are welcoming the move.

Villagers in a small town in Lhasa seem happier these days. They have just moved into newly-constructed houses, funded by the local government.

One Tibet villager said "The government gave us 36-thousand yuan to help buy the house. Poor as we are, we never imagined having such good living conditions. My mother always told me, in old Tibet, we never lived in such conditions. Now, thanks to government policy, this has been realized."

The project to improve farmer's living conditions was launched in 2006. Since then, 586,000 families have moved into new houses. This year, the government plans to have 80 percent of all farmers in new houses.

The government is also planning other facilities to improve their living environment. Local residents are excited about the plans.

Another Tibet villager said "This year a hospital and kindergarten will be constructed here. And an entertainment center will be completed there. After that, our life will be much more exciting."

The regional government of Tibet has allocated 400 million yuan to invest in public facilities and 215 million yuan for cultural and entertainment sites. In the next three to five years, 90 percent of Tibet will have open roads, a postal system, telephones, electricity and other basic facilities.

In addition, the local finance department has invested 400 million yuan to support farming and increase farmers' incomes.

 

Editor:Xiong Qu